When they arrive, they reserve two rooms with multiple beds. Dawn and Jessie share one room. Ash, Brock, and James share the other with their Pokemon. James ends up sleeping with Meowth curled up next to him, Mime, Jr. behind his neck, and Carnivine, who came out, laying its head on the bed. Seviper insisted on keeping watch over Jessie for the night.
The next day, they quickly eat their egg and bacon breakfast. Professor Rowan sends them two Pokedexes after a short explanation, then they head on their way to Veilstone City. Thunder booms in the distance as clouds roll in. Fairly soon, it starts sprinkling.
"Aw man," Ash whines, "we just started walking. Do you think it'll stay this mild?"
"No," Brock says, "it should get worse. Just look at the clouds." The light gray clouds become darker and darker. It transitions into pouring drops. "Quick, let's find shelter!" They run into the forest together.
"What about over there?" James points to a cave entrance. They all follow him in. They try to catch their breath, but hear a deep growl from behind them.
"Exploud!" The Pokemon roars and everyone runs back out again, screaming. James trips, however, all of them keep running.
"Wait!" He cries out, but they don't hear him. They disappear in the thick rain and he starts to cry. He stumbles to the thin shelter of a tree and tucks his knees to his chest. Tears continue to flow down his cheeks. "Help," he mumbles quietly. Suddenly, the rain seems to stop. James looks straight up to see large leaves blocking the water. "Huh?" He finds the Pokemon they are attached to.
A Tropius coos comfortingly. James wipes away the tears with his sleeve. "A-are you trying to help me?" Tropius nods, then lifts him carefully with a vine whip. Still covering him with the leaves from her back, she walks into a cave. "Wait! There's an Exploud in there." Tropius continues anyway.
Exploud appears and grunts to her, "Ex?"
Tropius coos in reply.
"Plou." Exploud lets Tropius advance into the cave. A small green Pokemon, a plant-like fox, and a cherry-shaped Pokemon huddle in the corner. Tropius sets James down next to them, then lays down, exhausted.
"You all look like Grass-types, right?" James says, "That's why you're weak. You need the rain and sunlight. Hang on." James reaches into his pocket and pulls out a bag of marshmallow-shaped Pokemon treats. "I give these to my Carnivine. They give more energy to Grass-types. Here." He hands one pellet to cherry-Pokemon, who eats it gently.
"Rubi!" Cherubi perks up and smiles.
"I'm glad you like it." he gives one to the other two as well. "One for you, and one for you. And one for you, too." Tropius glances down at the treat. "It's okay, you don't have to be afraid."
After James' encouraging words, Tropius eats it gently. She coos and rubs James with her head. "No problem." He giggles, then takes out his Pokedex to see what Pokemon he was with.
"Tropius, the Fruit Pokemon. Delicious fruits grew out from around its neck because it always ate the same kind of fruit."
"Cherubi, the Cherry Pokemon. The small ball is not only full of nutrients, it is also tasty. Starly try to peck it off."
"Leafeon, the Verdant Pokemon. It basically does not fight. With cells similar to those of plants, it can perform photosynthesis."
"Budew, the Bud Pokemon. Sensitive to changing temperature, the bud is said to bloom when it feels the sun's warm touch."
"I was right. You all need sunlight." He smiles before starting to cough from his cold, soaked clothes. Tropius stares down at him in worry. "I'm fine," he chokes out. Tropius whines to Budew. "No, wait," James protests as Budew hits him with Sleep Powder.
The Pokemon communicate with one another. Cherubi nods, then uses Healing Wish on James. He stops shivering and lies still. Cherubi faints, but lies in James' lap. They cuddle with them to warm him up, then fall asleep together.
Here's the next chapter. I hope you're enjoying it. James has a new friend!